Nursing Home Abuse LawyerMehlville, MO

Fighting Negligence and Abuse in Nursing Homes

You should be able to trust the Nursing Home or Senior Care Facility that your loved one relies on. Unfortunately, your family member has been abused by the very care providers that were entrusted with their care. You need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Mehlville that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Mehlville takes nursing home abuse and negligence extremely seriously, and we hold these institutions responsible for the damages and injuries that they caused to the families that trusted them. We have the experience that your family needs to fight this Nursing Home Abuse lawsuit, and we won’t stop until the business or individual who harmed your loved one is held fully responsible for their actions. Our consultations are free, and we don’t charge any fees unless we win your family’s nursing home abuse claim. Call or contact our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Mehlville now.

Gary Burger | Trial Attorney

Gary Burger is devoted to helping injury victims recover from devastating accidents in Missouri and Illinois. Gary practices all areas of personal injury law and has been successful in providing financial recovery while aiding in the protection of our clients' future.

How can I tell if my loved one is being abused in a nursing home?

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There are always signs that will show if your loved one is being abused or neglected by their care providers. Does your loved one’s skin look thin, or stay pinched if you scrunch it? They may not be receiving the nutrition or meals they are allowed. Do you see red sores or skin issues appearing on your loved one? If they are bed or wheelchair bound, then they aren’t being moved regularly to prevent these sores. Does your family member appear nervous or refuse to cooperate with nursing home staff? The staff may be abusing them. Listed below are several signs to look for when trying to determine if your loved one is being either abused or neglected by their caregivers.

1. Nursing Home Abuse Malnourishment

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If they aren’t being fed or they aren’t being given good food, it will show. If they look thin, tired, emaciated, or seem overly fatigued after simple tasks, they may be getting the food they need. This isn’t right, and it’s not ok. Your family member needs and deserves their food, and they should get it. You can and should sue a nursing home that neglects your loved one, and causes them to become malnourished or emaciated. What are other clear signs of possible malnourishment? Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Mehlville have identified these conditions as possible signs of malnourishment:

Skin Issues – Yellowed and wrinkled skin are a sign of malnourishment, as well as visually dull skin on darker complexions. An aditional warning is that the skin under the fingernails will take on a pale hue.

Mouth Sores or Discoloration – Canker Sores are bright red skin around the mouth and lips can be a sign on malnourishment. Thrush and Yeast also develop from malnutrition.

2. Nursing Home Abuse Bed Sores

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Bed sores are an ailment that arises from individuals who are immobile, causing wounds that can eat down to the bone. They develop as sores and ulcers and can quickly become life threatening. If your loved one developed bed sores while at a nursing home, they were neglected and not given the care they deserve. Bed Sores are even common in intensive care units. Bed Sores are easily avoidable if nursing homes give each resident their due diligence. Here are the different stages of bed sores our nursing home abuse lawyers in Mehlville have identified that can show your loved one may have bed sores:

Stage 3. Bed Sore – Tissue damage below the skin causes the sore to open and turn into a cavity.

Stage 4. Bed Sore – At this stage, infection is an extreme possibility. Bones, muscles, and tendons may be visible at this stage.

These types of sores are easily preventable. If your loved one’s care provider was giving them the care and attention they deserve, then your loved one would not have developed blood sores. You can sue for bed sores, and you absolutely should. Negligence is never ok, and should never be accepted regardless of what excuse the nursing home or long-term care facility gives you. Call our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Mehlville now. We’ll take care of your family and your loved one.

Here is a short video about Bed Sores and what you can do about them.

3. Nursing Home Abuse or Mistreatment

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Abuse isn’t always apparent, and your loved one may either not be willing to admit or not able to admit that they are being abused. Nursing home abuse does happen, and it’s never easy to hear that the assisted living home you trusted abused your loved one. You should never accept any excuses they give you, and you may even be able to call the authorities. Here are several signs to look for when you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected:

Financial Exploitation – You may not notice this until serious damage has already been done. {Higher than normal credit card bills, missing checks, or Wills that have been recently altered could be clear signs of financial exploitation of your loved one|If their credit cards are maxed out, if they are missing checks, or their will has been altered and you weren’t alerted, this is a clear sign of exploitation|If their checks have gone missing, if their credit cards are being declined, and if any of their other finances appear to out of order, these can be signs of exploitation|The signs for this type of abuse will be altered wills, mysterious power of attorney forms, maxed out credit cards, and missing checks.

Neglect – This type of abuse leads to malnourishment, possible bed sores, dirty living conditions, and often serious infections. Neglect from a caregiver can also lead to self neglect.

Physical Abuse – Abuse is apparent when your loved one has unexplained scratches, bruises, broken bones, and other physical marks they didn’t have before. For physical abuse, you can call the cops. Even after the police have made their report, you can still sue the nursing home or assisted living facility. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Mehlville will fight for the recovery and rights of your loved one.

Psychological Abuse – If your loved one is nervous around a caregiver, or is hesitant to talk when they are around, they could be the victim of psychological abuse. This type of abuse can be as violent and detrimental as actual physical abuse.

Here is a short video our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Mehlville have prepared:

Are there any laws governing nursing home care?

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The Nursing Home Reform Act details the rights that nursing home residents have. These laws have to be followed, and can be used to prove that your loved one is not getting the care and attention they deserve, or that their rights are being taken away. According to the Nursing Home Reform Act, here is a quick breakdown of the rights your loved one can expect:

Freedom from Abuse

Freedom from Restraints

The Right to Privacy

The Right to Accommodation of social needs, psychological needs, physical needs, and medical needs

The Right to Participate in Resident and Family Groups

The Right to be treated with dignity

The Right to exercise self-determination

The Right to communicate freely

The Right to review and participate in any aspect of the care they are receiving and any changes to it

The Right to voice grievances

Your loved one has rights, by law, and if they’ve been violated you can pursue legal action against the Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility that was entrusted with their care. Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Mehlville are well versed in the laws the govern nursing homes and the levels of care that residents are entitled to. We can help you and your family if you decide to pursue a claim against the assisted living facility. You have options, and those who harmed your family can be held accountable. Call or Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Mehlville now to protect your family.